Saptapadi (Seven steps)1
Taking first steps together in marriage:
1. The bride & groom go to the north side of Vedi and stand facing north.
2. They take the 7 steps towards the north-east direction.
3. Sometimes kusha grass is laid out for them to walk on.
Groom places right hand on Bride’s right shoulder and says2
मा सव्येन दक्षिणमतिक्राम
Ma sav-yena dakshiṇam-ati-kraama.
O bride, walk with me; arm in arm; let us not stumble, ever.
The mantras are recited with each step taken: (Tune – saat bhaavare)
These are the seven steps to holy marriage
When we walk hand in hand with our vows in mind
Take the 1st step in God’s name, His Glory we sing
May our marriage deserve all that blessings can bring
Take the 2nd step for positive energy and strength
May our lives be filled with unity and bliss.
These are the seven steps to holy marriage
Take the 3rd step for life full of prosperity,
may your prosperity last unto posterity
Take the 4th step for lots of happiness ahead,
May you always live like a god and a goddess
These are the seven steps to holy marriage
Take the 5th step for children and happy family,
May you always live in loving harmony
Take the 6th step to overcome all challenges and pain,
may happiness, together you always attain
These are the seven steps to holy marriage
Take the 7th step for unity and respect always,
may you stay on the pathways of love and good grace
These are the 7 step to holy marriage.
The sanskrit verses are3:
ओम इषे एकपदी भव सा मामनुव्रता
भव विष्णुस्त्वानयतु पुत्रान् विन्दावहै बहूंस्ते संतु जरदष्टय:॥
Om iśhe eka-padi
bhava saa maa-manu-vrataa
bhava viśhṇu-stvaa naya-tu
putraan vindaa-va-hai vahoon-ste
santu jara-daśhţayah.
Take the first step in honor of our benevolent God, the Provider of nourishment in life. May these steps together solidify our vows and signal a lifetime of togetherness. May God be our guide in the journey of life. May we be blessed with noble and healthy children.
ओम ऊर्जे द्विपदी भव सा मामनुव्रता
भव विष्णुस्त्वानयतु पुत्रान् विन्दावहै बहूंस्ते संतु जरदष्टय: ॥
Om oorje dvipadee
bhava saa maa-manu-vrataa
bhava viśhṇu-stvaa naya-tu
putraan vindaa-va-hai vahoon-ste
santu jara-daśhţayah.
Take the second step in honor of our Lord for blessings of positive energy in life. May these steps together solidify our vows and signal a lifetime of togetherness. May God be our guide in the journey of life. May we be blessed with noble and healthy children.
ओम रायस्पोषाय त्रिपदी भव सा मामनुव्रता
भव विष्णुस्त्वानयतु पुत्रान् विन्दावहै बहूंस्ते संतु जरदष्टय: ॥
Om raayas-pośhaaya tripadee
bhava saa maa-manu-vrataa
bhava viśhṇu-stvaa naya-tu
putraan vindaa-va-hai vahoon-ste
santu jara-daśhţayah.
Take the third step, honoring our Lord’s blessings of wealth and prosperity. May these steps together solidify our vows and signal a lifetime of togetherness. May God be our guide in the journey of life. May we be blessed with noble and healthy children.
ओम मयोभवाय चतुष्पदी भव सा मामनुव्रता
भव विष्णुस्त्वानयतु पुत्रान् विन्दावहै बहूंस्ते संतु जरदष्टय: ॥
Om mayo-bhavaa-ya chatuśhpadee
bhava saa maa-manu-vrataa
bhava viśhṇu-stvaa naya-tu
putraan vindaa-va-hai vahoon-ste
santu jara-daśhţayah.
Take the fourth step in honor of blessings of abundant happiness in life. May these steps together solidify our vows and signal a lifetime of togetherness. May God be our guide in the journey of life. May we be blessed with noble and healthy children.
ओम पशुभ्यो: पंचपदी भव सा मामनुव्रता
भव विष्णुस्त्वानयतु पुत्रान् विन्दावहै बहूंस्ते संतु जरदष्टय: ॥
Om prajaa-bhyah pan͂cha-padee
bhava saa maa-manu-vrataa
bhava viśhṇu-stvaa naya-tu
putraan vindaa-va-hai vahoon-ste
santu jara-daśhţayah.
Take the fifth step for blessings of noble progeny. May these steps together solidify our vows and signal a lifetime of togetherness. May God be our guide in the journey of life. May we be blessed with noble and healthy children.
ओम ऋतुभ्य षट्पदी भव सा मामुनव्रता
भव विष्णुस्त्वानयतु पुत्रान् विन्दावहै बहूंस्ते संतु जरदष्टय: ॥
Om ṛitu-bhyah śhaţ-padee bhava
bhava saa maa-manu-vrataa
bhava viśhṇu-stvaa naya-tu
putraan vindaa-va-hai vahoon-ste
santu jara-daśhţayah.
Take the sixth step for well-being through all seasons. May these steps together solidify our vows and signal a lifetime of togetherness. May God be our guide in the journey of life. May we be blessed with noble and healthy children.
ओम सखे सप्तपदी भव सा मामनुव्रता
भव विष्णुस्त्वानयतु पुत्रान् विन्दावहै बहूंस्ते संतु जरदष्टय: ॥
Om sakhe sapta-padee
bhava saa maa-manu-vrataa
bhava viśhṇu-stvaa naya-tu
putraan vindaa-va-hai vahoon-ste
santu jara-daśhţayah.
Take the seventh step for a lifetime of unity between us. May these steps together solidify our vows and signal a lifetime of togetherness. May God be our guide in the journey of life. May we be blessed with noble and healthy children.
At this stage, the couple sits—this time, the bride sits at the left of the groom. (At this stage, the couple has completed their exchange of vows. Having taken their first seven steps together, they now sit in the traditional “husband & wife” position, with the Bride at the left of the Groom.
Traditionally, the wife is at the husband’s left hand
– Being on the left-hand side of her husband places her on the side nearest to his heart.
– When a man would shelter his wife with his left arm while his right hand wielded the weapon to protect her
- Saptapadi represents the first seven steps that the couple takes in marriage life. The conjugal knot is made – symbolically signifying that they shall remain together in their vows and are joined together physically and mentally.
- This is a request by the Groom to the bride that she be careful as she takes her first steps with him (their first steps after their vows should be trouble-free). The right foot is often seen as more dexterous, thus he requests that she steps right foot forward, carefully (so as not to stumble). Symbolically, the groom also asks that the bride be well balanced in her steps, in her life, in her posture and in her decisions.
- Ashvalayan 1.8.19
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